BORDER CROSSING GUIDE – Thailand into Cambodia – O’smach Border (exiting Sa-Ngam) This border crossing guide is based on my crossing from Chong Chom to O’smach on 27th March 2019 and exiting out from Cambodia back into Thailand at the Choam / Sa-Ngam border on the 31st March 2019, based upon a Thai plated bike that I own (Kawasaki dtracker 250cc). Keep in mind that laws and policies fluctuate and change (and even depends upon the mood of the officer at times). However, this was my personal experience. Also, keep in mind that O’smash border is a very quiet crossing point and known to be a simple/straightforward crossing point. Other Cambodian border points may have more stringent rules.
Table of Contents
Thailand/Cambodia Crossing Guide
STEP 1: DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
1: PASSPORT (+ photocopy).* valid for at least 6 months
(normally you need 2-4 pages free in your passport as well, as a general rule.
I personally would not travel with less than 4 pages free).
2: ORIGINAL GREEN OWNERS BOOK (+ photocopy).*
3: PHOTOCOPIES OF PASSPORT PAGE AND OWNER INFO INSIDE GREEN BOOK
4: ADDITIONALLY: PASSPORT PHOTO FOR CAMBODIAN SIDE
*This is the basics you need to bring. HOWEVER, I photocopied multiple pages of my documents and photocopied all of them 4 times. Best to do this in case more documents are asked for or in case more than one copy is required. *NOTE* If you plan on exiting out at a different border, tell them you are not sure which one. That way you have the option to exit at any border point.
STEP 2: PROCESS – THAI SIDE
1: PARK UP CLOSE TO BARRIERS – Officer will check you have correct documents.
2: HEAD TO PASSPORT CONTROL – Get stamped out of Thailand
3: HEAD TO BOUNDARY POST CUSTOMS – They will register you and bike into the system.
4: RETURN TO BOOTH AT STEP 1 – You will get a Temporary export TM2 form printed out and your photo taken etc.
DONE! Can enter the Cambodian side now.
>>>> WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW TO SEE WHERE TO GO AND WHAT NOT TO DO <<<<
STEP 3: PROCESS – CAMBODIAN SIDE
Park up at the barriers on the right-hand side (remember that Cambodia is right-hand drive, so you will need to switch over to the right). Head straight to the Cambodian Immigration booth and get a visa and fingers scanned. YOU WILL NEED A PASSPORT PHOTOGRAPH. (I paid 35 USD. Officially the visa is 30 USD but this add on is often added *cough*. I mentioned the official price and was told firmly “$35!”. I didn’t argue and paid). My bike documents were checked over and I was on my way.
*NOTE* NO COMPULSORY VEHICLE INSURANCE IS OFFERED AT THE BORDER!
IMPORTANT POINT ABOUT INSURANCE: The border does not offer compulsory vehicle insurance. However, I have since found out that you can likely buy vehicle insurance in any major town/city. Something I will try to do next time I visit. Here is one company that may be able to help. LINK HERE
DONE! GOOD TO GO!
*****
PART 2: BORDER CROSSING GUIDE: EXITING AT CHOAM / SA-NGAM
I exited from Choam to Sa-Ngam on 31st March 2019. I was not sure if I could exit this border at the time. However, the process was straightforward, simple and fast.
1: STAMPED OUT AT CAMBODIAN SIDE
2: STAMPED IN ON THAI SIDE
3: HANDED OVER DOCUMENTS FOR BIKE AND SIGNED
4: DONE!
Video showing the steps:
Hope this helped. This was the process for me at this time, but may differ or vary depending on rule changes and possibly the mood of the officer!
MY FULL TRIP REPORT FOR THIS RIDE CAN BE READ HERE
Good luck!
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can you take a car over
Hi. Sorry for the late reply (your comment was buried in some spam comments). I believe so! The border crossing details for both bikes and cars are pretty much the same. Just make sure you have the correct paperwork. I am not 100% sure though, sorry, but I do believe it is the same process. If you do decide to try, I would very much like to know the outcome. Good luck!
Hi…. I’m a Indian and I have 149Cc Rental motorbike from Vietnam…..so do I need any international licence or any permit to Ride into Cambodia as their laws says proper licence need for above 125cc motorcycle.
Hi. I can only give you my own personal experience.
I rode in from Thailand to Cambodia on a 250cc motorbike, using my Thai motorcycle license.
I did not have an IDP (International Driving Permit) with me at that time. They accepted my regular Thai Driving License.
However, I was lucky not to have any issues with either the police or traffic incident. I made sure to keep my time in Cambodia short, due to concerns about my license and insurance.
I am unsure if some borders will be more difficult or strict, and I also suggest it is always best to have an IDP just in case (and more importantly, in case of incident).
My personal experience though was that my regular motorcycle license was accepted.
Good luck! 🙂
Hey Zed, feel like I’m attacking you on all forums 🙄
Just to clarify, you didn’t have a visa prior to border, just got it there & then with correct documents obviously ?
Haha..it is no problem. As replied on Facebook, yes, I just got the visa at the border. Have a safe trip! 🙂
Thank you for the updates and videos! Always good to know how things should work. I thought it a little strange the border officials allowed you to record the crossings.
Glad that it helps Bob.
As for my recordings, I never record at actual official booths where you sort out the documents.
I always figure if I get scolded I will of course stop, but no one seems to worried about me recording the outside areas.
I even said to one officer that I will take some photos and video of the border with my bike and was all ok.
I would never wish to do something that would be considered bad form, but the officers have not minded. I always stick to more public areas though, and not the booths.
To be on the safe side I blurred out the officers face in the video also though.
Excellent job, very thoughtful and professional.
Nice to see and read reviews prepared that way.
Thanks for sharing.
Vince
I am glad if it helps.
Appreciate the comment/feedback Vince, thank you. 🙂